In this issue:

- US Federal Reserve Board Releases Semiannual Report on Banking Applications Activity

- European Banking Authority Monitors Additional Tier 1 Capital Instruments

- European Banking Authority Consults on Mapping of Credit Assessments of External Credit Assessment Institutions for Securitization Positions

- European Banking Authority Publishes New Taxonomy for Supervisory Reporting

- European Banking Authority Consults on Assignation of Risk Weights to Specialized Lending Exposures

- International Organization of Securities Commissions Consultants on Sound Practices for Large Intermediaries

- US and EU Issue Joint Statement on CCP Equivalence Decision

- US Securities and Exchange Commission Approves Pilot to Assess Tick Size Impact for Smaller Companies

- European Parliament and Council Agree on New Draft Payment Services Directive

- TARGET2-Securities Group of European Central Bank Publishes Impact Analysis on T2S Harmonization Standards Non-Compliance

- Bank of England Publishes Consolidated Version of Rules for Recognized Clearing Houses

- Federal Reserve Bank of New York Creates Wholesale Product Office

- New York State Department of Financial Services Grants First Charter to a New York Virtual Currency Company

- European Securities and Markets Authority Publishes Final Guidelines on the Commodity Derivatives Definition under Markets in Financial Instruments Directive

- European Banking Authority Publishes Final Guidelines on Recovery Plan Indicators

- European Banking Authority Publishes Final Guidelines on Triggers for Early Intervention Powers

- David Grim Named Director of the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Investment Management

- Jeremiah O. Norton Submits Resignation as Director of the US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

- Upcoming Events

- Excerpt from US Federal Reserve Board Releases Semiannual Report on Banking Applications Activity:

On April 30, 2015, the US Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System released its Semiannual Report on Banking Applications Activity. The report delivers aggregate information on applications submitted by bank holding companies, state member banks, savings and loan holding companies, foreign banking organizations, and other entities and individuals for approval to undertake various transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, and engaging in new activities.